Population Density & Population Distribution

1. Population Density & Population Distribution

2. Population Density Which photograph has a high population density?

3. Population Density = Total number of people per unit area of land

4. Calculation of Population Density • Total resident in 1997 = 3736700 • Total land area = 647.8 sq km • Pop density = 5768 persons per sq km

5. Population Density • Canada – 3 people per sq km • Bangladesh – 1042 people per sq km • Singapore – 6000 people per sq km http://www.photius.com/wfb1999/rankings/population_density_2.html

6. ACE activity • Research on the factors affecting population density in • Singapore or • Hong Kong. • How does Singapore or Hong Kong cope with high population density?

7. Population Distribution • The way people are spread out over an area of land www.countrywatch.com/facts/facts_default.aspx...

8. Factors Affecting Population Distribution and Population Density • Relief • Climate • Soils • Mineral and energy deposits • Accessibility

9. Population Distribution • Population is not evenly distributed • are found in central and northern part80% of the people live in west coast • Areas of high pop density (above 200 persons per sq km) are the major cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Johor Bahru • Areas of moderate pop density (21 – 200 persons per sq km) are found on the coastal plain on the east coast • Areas of low pop density (below 21 persons per sq km)

10. Relief • Lowland areas/low reliefs are able to support a dense population • Development of settlements, transport, agriculture and industry • Central northern part is sparsely populated because it is mountainous

11. Climate • West coast more densely populated – sheltered from SW monsoon by Sumatra • More evenly distributed rainfall and high temp (25 – 28°C) favour cultivation of crops • Sheltered from heavy rain facilitates the growth of trade, market towns and ports • East coast is exposed to NE monsoon as it faces South China Sea • Heavy and prolonged downpour causes floods and inflict economic losses

12. Soil • Soil on the west coast is generally deep and well-oxidised and is suitable for growing cash crops such as rubber and oil palm • Presence of fertile alluvial soil which supports wet rice cultivation • Hence, west coast able to support dense population • East coast – swampy lowland • Mountains in central northern part – poor, thin, stony soil

13. Minerals and Energy deposits • Discovery of tin deposits in the west coast (Kinta, Kelang Valley) attracted influx of Chinese immigrants • Led to development of roads and railways in the west coast • Mining and agricultural activities have led to the development of market towns • Many industries have been set up because of the established infrastructure

14. Accessibility • West coast is easily accessible by road, rail and air • Major ports are developed on the west coast along the sheltered Straits of Malacca, an international sea route • Better transportation network on the west coast has speeded economic development and creation of more jobs • Central northern part is sparsely populated because of poor accessibility due to steep forested slopes of mountains

15. Describe and account for the population distribution and density in Peninsular Malaysia. • Describe • High population density – where? • moderate population density – where? • Low population density – where? • Account - Factors influencing population distribution • Relief • Climate • Mineral resources • Soils • Accessibility

16. Pair share • Based on a country in Asia • locate areas of differing distribution • study the factors behind the distribution